palechibi 2,748 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Taylor Swift’s extremely successful marketing campaign for her record-breaking album 1989 was largely built off the singer’s intimate connections with her fans. She went to their houses, baked them cookies, followed them on Tumblr, and invited them to exclusive listening sessions. But recent action from Swift and her legal team paints a far less BFF image of the pop star. Fans with Swift-related items on Etsy have been hit with alleged trademark violations and ordered to remove their items from stores. Buzzfeed reports that of the 15 Swift-related Etsy items on a list they published back in November, only three are still for sale online. They contacted an Etsy seller who asked to remain anonymous, but spoke about the legal action brought against her: We originally made the item for fun, we love Taylor and we had friends that love Taylor. We never intended for it to be a profit making item. The cost of the item covered shipping costs, and production costs with very little left over. When we got the e-mail that the trademark infringement occurred, we were pretty shocked because while our item was popular we didn’t feel as if it had become popular enough to cause harm to Taylor Swift’s empire. We were shocked. And we were scared. We didn’t even make enough MONEY for a lawyer and this had seemed like such a harmless and fun idea. The success of 1989 was built on fans feeling like they were part of Swift’s life and story. Now that the album launch campaign has wound down, the anonymous seller argues that the lawsuit counters that in a major way. Fans like to see themselves as part of the artist’s story, however small. They want to contribute and be creative and have fun. These free, loving, creative minds are being stopped by the very artists who have inspired them. Obviously an artist has a right to their art and people should respect that. But at the same time most people, like us, are trying to be respectful and contribute to the excitement that the artist brings into our lives. When that is taken away, it leaves us with a bitter taste in our mouths. It feels as though we don’t matter, that our ideas and thoughts and creations never belonged to us in the first place. No matter how hard we worked. And for other fans who make art, I’m afraid that this is going to be the future. Etsy issued a statement to Buzzfeed about the situation: Because of privacy and legal concerns, we can’t verify specific information about who contacts us. However, I can share more information about our copyright and intellectual property policy: When a seller opens a shop and lists an item on Etsy, they are agreeing to our terms of use, including trademark guidelines, and copyright and IP policy. We take intellectual property and copyright concerns very seriously, and we comply with the DMCA and remove items when we have proper notice. When we are notified about allegedly infringing material, we act swiftly and in compliance with our policy, which you can find here. All this comes on the heels of Swift’s trademark of the phrase “this sick beat,†among others. It isn’t a brand new situation (Buzzfeed says Swift’s lawyers issued takedown notices to Etsy sellers as early as 2013) but it has ramped up in recent months. Swift isn’t the only one pushing back against fan-made merchandise. Beyoncé recently launched a similar suit against fans who were running with the “Feyoncé†meme. There’s a difference between Drake threatening to sue a major corporation like Walmart for their “YOLO†t-shirts, and major pop stars threatening fans with legal action over homemade crafts. As the anonymous Etsy seller mentioned, most of them probably aren’t making much MONEY anyway, and are just doing it for the fun of it. (source) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sexica 402 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 I liked her the most during Fearless days, nowadays she just seems so obsessed with money and stuff. Get a grip, Taylor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xharuharux 2,487 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 oh laaawd who in their right mind would buy that doll Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadBadNotGood 11,616 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 First of all that doll is nightmare inducing and I thought she was suing for defamation at first. But over homemade crafts? Plushies? Fan crap? Better buy all the fanmade stuff I have saved up on Etsy now because one day these companies are just going to do a huge sweep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
í—�! 8,234 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 So... because your fans, you feel like you can break the law? Profit or no profit... they're using the Swift name to sell a product and that is just not allowed in the legal world. There's only so much that fans can get away with. Breaking the law isn't one of them. Just another case of fans feeling entitled to more than they can have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Camila Cabello 11,450 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 So... because you're fans, you feel like you can break the law? Profit or no profit... they're using the Swift name to sell a product and that is just not allowed in the legal world. There's only so much that fans can get away with. Breaking the law isn't one of them. Just another case of fans feeling entitled to more than they can have. ^^^agree its in her contract, deal with it shane was also butthurt about his parody video being taken down. but that video shud be down.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medoner 366 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 When we are notified about allegedly infringing material, we act swiftly and in compliance with our policy, which you can find here. lmao but seriously like i understand that they were violating trademarks but like rlly i feel all this action is unnecessary isn't taylor making enough money from 1989 already Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teru 22,363 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 cold. never liked her and this only confirms my distaste Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
í—�! 8,234 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 lmao but seriously like i understand if they were violating trademarks but like rlly i feel this is unnecessary isn't taylor making enough money from 1989 already This clearly isn't about making money since apparently selling these dolls doesn't even break even. It's just about protecting the name and brand. People can't just use a brand name and sell things under it regardless of whether they're getting money back or not, it's simply against the law and that should be the end of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Symphonyâ„¢ 11,329 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 She is a bitch, who knew with all the childish songs she wrote bashing her exes because she was bitter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearclaw 3,543 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 lmfao how stupid tbh. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oxytocin 432 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 that doll is scary af,tbh Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
modella 2,015 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 That's sad. I mean seriously? People make little charms and dolls all the time. I remember buying an Adventure Time keychain set on etsy for my friend that someone had hand drawn. I don't see the creators of AT trying to sue. Taylor needs to chill. They're not making crazy money off her. 1989 is doing well isn't it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Haunted 5,365 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Good. That doll is ugly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTI 7,015 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 what a bitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
masketta 2,783 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 she/her legal team have the right to sue, but couldn't the fans just remove all associations their product has to Taylor and then contineu to legally sell it as like 'fictional popstar Tyler Shift' products? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lee Dong Wook 80 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 what her album is making great sales... I do not think she should be worried about the "profit" her fans are gaining with making little dolls... come on... ambitious much? she seems just so mean now... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asjkghasdasdas 730 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 So... because your fans, you feel like you can break the law? Profit or no profit... they're using the Swift name to sell a product and that is just not allowed in the legal world. There's only so much that fans can get away with. Breaking the law isn't one of them. Just another case of fans feeling entitled to more than they can have. hihihihihihi! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
í—�! 8,234 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 hihihihihihi!Soon, Beijing and China will ALL unite and use the English that I will teach them, then we shall revolutionaries the English Language as we know it. Your reply was nasty... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hyoyeon's lines in check 6,413 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Lmao it's obvious she only cares about her fans as financial investments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daseot 250 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 As an artist herself, I am quite disappointed in Taylor Swift's decision. I am sure that prior to her fame, she churned out covers to country legends at different events to make her own dough. Whether or not this is recognised by law, I believe this follows the same instance, especially through a moral standpoint. Many celebrities don't take legal measures on things like these despite being well aware that this occurs. Swift can do whatever she wants, but that doesn't change how much of an over-privileged douche she is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Playgirl 3,298 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 All this comes on the heels of Swift’s trademark of the phrase “this sick beat,†among others. Ummm bitch what? I know u did not trademark that. Cmon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asjkghasdasdas 730 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Soon, Beijing and China will ALL unite and use the English that I will teach them, then we shall revolutionaries the English Language as we know it. Your reply was nasty... cant wait for more illiterate ppl! "hihihi" is pronounced hee hee hee like a laugh ok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumblebee 4,397 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 Good job, fans should follow the law. Only kpoopers here are willing to break laws, how uncivilized of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bumblebee 4,397 Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 cant wait for more illiterate ppl! "hihihi" is pronounced hee hee hee like a laugh ok You are one of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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